Human rights activist Nontombi Naomi Tutu will be the keynote speaker at the 15th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration on Monday, Jan. 16. All employees, physicians, visitors and patients are welcome to attend the event, which runs from noon to 1 p.m. in Harvey Morse Auditorium.

As part of a federal effort to streamline regulations and improve healthcare value and quality, the Medicare payment model will undergo significant change beginning Jan. 1. Under the new rules, eligible clinicians must participate in one of two payment tracks. More than 85 percent of physicians will work with the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System, while the remainder will use the Advanced Alternative Payment Model.

Thomas M. Priselac, president and CEO, visited a major Los Angeles civic organization recently and offered a glimpse of how he sees the healthcare industry evolving. Priselac spoke about rapidly advancing medical care driven by research discoveries and digital innovations, many of which already are reshaping patient care and the healthcare landscape.

The Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute is bolstering its formidable roster of physicians and researchers with the addition of four highly regarded doctors who will expand clinical and investigational options for breast cancer and prostate cancer patients.

Researchers from the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute and the Department of Medicine are expanding their ongoing evaluation of a novel cell-based therapeutic candidate into the area of pulmonary arterial hypertension. This work will be supported by a recently awarded $7.3 million grant from the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine.

More than 1,300 employees gave back to Cedars-Sinai last month by sharing their stories of gratitude during the third annual Giving Tuesday experience. The stories provided hope to those facing health challenges, and inspired others to support Cedars-Sinai with meaningful gifts that fund research and lifesaving treatments.

The Circle of Friends program honored 242 people in November. Circle of Friends allows grateful patients to make a donation in honor of the physicians, nurses, caregivers and others who have made a difference during their time at Cedars-Sinai.